Cooperative learning is an approach that lets learners work together within a small group to complete a common task. The learners will present their different ideas freely and discuss how they can accomplish the work. The aim of this approach is to make learners can gain a better understanding of their learning materials and develop their ability to cooperate with others through group work engagement. This learning approach can be observed in many undergraduate courses.

According to David W Johnson and Roger T Jonson (2005), some essential elements need to be met for efficient cooperation.

  • Positive interdependence:  Cooperative learning will base on a situation that all members’ efforts connect with each other’s and all efforts will have influences on the group’s work. Also, a successful final outcome will benefit everyone instead of an individual.
  • Individual and group accountability: Each member needs to be clear about what part they are handling and take responsibility for their own part. And the group needs to be aware of their goals and to make sure each member’s effort is measured.
  • Promotive interaction: The interaction among group members, especially face to face interaction, will encourage each other and have a promotive effect on the working process.
  • Appropriate use of social skills: Social skills are essential for group members to communicate and discuss during the working process.
  • Group processing: The group will be able to determine what approach they will use and what improvement they should take.

The cooperative learning approach can be applied very well to our groups’ topic: enhance non-English speakers’ English reading comprehension ability. Because almost every person will have their own perspective towards the same article or movie. Thus, dividing learners into different groups randomly will let them be able to hear from the person who shares different ideas and have time to think whose idea is more relevant to the theme of the article. In the meantime, the group discussion process also gives learners an opportunity to communicate in English. This is not only a good chance to enhance English speaking but also has a positive effect on English reading. For group task, the instructor can give each group handouts which have questions about the understanding of the learning content. As instructors, we will evaluate their group works and give feedback base on whether learners are understanding the material in the right way.

 

 

 Reference 

David W Johnson & Roger T Johnson:  What is Cooperative Learning?